LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has announced the final results of its 2011 WGAW Officers and Board of Directors election.

The following members were elected to serve as Officers: President – Christopher Keyser; Vice President – Howard A. Rodman; Secretary-Treasurer – Carl Gottlieb.

“I congratulate Patric on an excellent, positive and constructive campaign. These past few months have reinforced for me how open and democratic this Guild is and how engaged so many of our members are in the issues that shape our working lives. That passion and involvement is the key to our success and leaves me, even in these difficult times, optimistic about our future. I want to thank John Wells, whom I succeed as Guild President, for his years and years of service. I – we – owe him a very great debt of gratitude. Now I look forward to making real progress on all those issues – among them enforcement, engagement, organizing, communication and diversity – that have been the focus of this campaign. And I look forward to working with Writers Guild, East, with SAG and AFTRA and the DGA, as well as our other sister unions, to find common solutions to our common challenges. It’s time to move forward, together,” said Christopher Keyser.

“I congratulate Chris and everyone who was elected today. I wish him the best of luck in rebuilding our union and I'm encouraging all my supporters to help in that task,” said Patric M. Verrone.

The following eight members were elected to the WGAW’s Board of Directors: Billy Ray, David S. Goyer, Dan Wilcox, Linda Burstyn, Carleton Eastlake, Thania St. John, Ian Deitchman, Alfredo Barrios, Jr.

A total of 2,102 ballots were cast. The ballot count was supervised by Robbin Johnson of Pacific Election Services, Inc., an independent firm.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.